Overview
The Bible addresses zoar across 11 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Deuteronomy and Isaiah. Closely related themes include Sodom, Angel (1), Armies and Birsha. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Lot, Bera and Birsha.
Key Bible verses about zoar
Old Testament
Genesis
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.
And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. thee: Heb. thy face
Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. Zoar: that is, Little
The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. risen: Heb. gone forth
And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
People in the Bible and zoar
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying zoar for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 13:10, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Genesis, Deuteronomy and Isaiah each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Lot, Bera and Birsha and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Sodom, Angel (1), Armies and Birsha.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about zoar?
The Bible addresses zoar across 11 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Genesis, Deuteronomy and Isaiah. Closely related themes include Sodom, Angel (1), Armies and Birsha. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Lot, Bera and Birsha.
How many Bible verses are about zoar?
The Bible references zoar in 11 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention zoar?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 13:10: “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with zoar?
Lot, Bera and Birsha.
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